A devastating wildfire burning in the Cairngorms National Park has entered its sixth day, with firefighters from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) battling to stop the spread of the flames. Two specialist helicopters have been instrumental in waterbombing hard-to-reach areas, the Cairngorms National Park Authority has confirmed.
However, the flames were allowed to torch the landscape for nearly two days before the helicopters arrived on the scene around Glenmore Forest Park, sparking frustration from local people who believe the wildfire might have been brought under control sooner if specialist air support had been called in earlier.
The SFRS maintains that the Cairngorms wildfire has been 'appropriately resourced' from the start, with over 100 firefighters involved, assisted by gamekeepers, estate workers, and volunteers from neighbouring estates. Nevertheless, the Service has no direct access to firefighting helicopters, relying on a small number of private companies with the necessary aircraft and equipment, as well as pilots with the skills to fight the fires.
The decision to call in a helicopter is a 'multi-agency decision' made at the discretion of the incident commander and their professional assessment of the fire. Agencies involved in the decision-making process include Forestry and Land Scotland, NatureScot, and private landowners or managers in the area under threat.
Commercial helicopter operators like Skyhook, based in Fife Airport, provide specialist response to wildfires during the summer months, with pilots remaining on 'high alert' for the danger of wildfires and ready to respond quickly. The firm has been leading the aerial efforts in the Cairngorms wildfire, with its pilots using their expertise and airborne perspective to enhance the ability to limit the spread of fire where conditions allow.